Music Venue Trust announces new artist patrons

The Music Venue Trust has announced Charlotte Hatherley, Slaves and The Anchoress as new artist patrons of the organisation, while Everything Everything’s Jeremy Pritchard is the first musician to become a trustee.

“Were it not for the presence of the Tunbridge Wells Forum while I was growing up, I very much doubt that I would be a professional musician now”, says Pritchard. “The same would be said of countless other individuals who have been inspired and nurtured by similar community live music venues – Southampton Joiners, Bristol Thekla, Oxford Jericho, Manchester Night And Day, Hull Welly, Newcastle Cluny, and so on”.

He continues: “The UK music industry needs to do more to support its live grassroots, and government needs to recognise that the health and future prosperity of this important British industry relies on us nurturing these seeds”.

Charlotte Hatherley adds: “I’ve been a touring musician for 20 years now both as a solo artist and as a session guitarist for a number of bands. I was fifteen when I joined my first band and we played pretty much every small London rock venue. Many of those venues sadly no longer exist. Touring continues to be a major part of my life and I’m THRILLED to have the opportunity to support the Music Venue Trust in their vital work in protecting grassroots venues”.

The MVT’s annual Venues Day event this year takes place on 17 Oct at Ministry Of Sound in London, featuring a variety of panel discussions on issues facing small venues. Tickets are available here.